It takes a village to care for an older adult especially if one lives with several chronic conditions. Experts in caregiving recommend to family caregivers to start planning early, long before a parent or older relative needs assistance, because if you wait until they need a lot of help, you’ll be caught off-guard and scrambling. Waiting until the last minute to find support will put you and the loved one in a precarious situation. In this Smilecast we cover tips for coordinated care.

According to the National Association of Family Caregivers, there are close to 50 million people who provide care and assistance for the aged, chronically ill or physically challenged family member. If you think a relative will need care down the road, I recommend retaining the service of a geriatric care manager because they are experts in coordinated care. They have deep-seated expertise and experience in working with older adults who no longer can manage their finances and need help finding home care, locating senior living options, and setting up a care plan.